EP4259540A1

EP4259540A1 - Closure for a straw of thin-walled flexible packaging

Info

Publication number: EP4259540A1
Application number: EP21835383.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto Buzzi; Riccardo ZAMMORI
Original assignee: Guala Pack SpA
Current assignee: Guala Pack SpA
Priority date: 2020-12-09
Filing date: 2021-12-03
Publication date: 2023-10-18
Also published as: MX2023006725A; CR20230239A; US20240043180A1; CL2023001661A1; WO2022123407A1; IT202000030206A1

Abstract

A closure (4) for a spout (10) of a thin-walled flexible package comprises a cap (30) comprising a cap wall (32) having a cap axis (Y), extending between a lower cap end (34) and an upper cap end (36), a tamper-evident seal (90), and a grip surface (50) having an undulated grip surface edge (62) comprising a succession of low sections (64) and high sections (66), such that bulges (72, 74) and windows (76, 78) are formed on the grip surface (50). The windows (76, 78) are sufficiently wide circumferentially to contain the cap (30) and the tamper- evident seal (90) in width. The low section (64) of the grip surface edge (62) is tangent interiorly to an imaginary plane (P2) orthogonal to the cap axis (Y), which axially delimits interiorly at least one of said bulges (72, 74). Said imaginary plane (P2) is arranged axially below the lower cap end (34) of the cap wall (32).

Description

CLOSURE FOR A STRAW OF THIN-WALLED FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

DESCRIPTION

[0001] This invention is in the field of thin-walled flexible packaging, customarily referred to as "pouches , " and particularly in the field of pouches fitted with a spout referred to as " spouted pouches . "

[0002] These packages have become very popular and are currently mainly used to contain beverages such as fruit j uices and purees , yogurt , energy drinks , supplements and the like ; several hundred million pieces are sold each year .

[0003] Among the most appreciated features are the versatility and practicality of use , due to the possibility of unscrewing the closure with ease and drinking from the spout . Proper use requires for the closure to be screwed back onto the spout before disposing of the packaging .

[0004] However, manufacturers , also driven by new regulations and opinion movements , are looking for technical solutions that allow the closure to remain attached to the spout even after being unscrewed, so that after the use of the packaging, said closure is not dispersed in the environment . For example , the Applicant is the holder of Italian patent appl ication No .

102020000021127 . [0005]However, it is necessary for the new solutions to maintain those features of ease of use that have so far distinguished these closures, and in particular the ease of unscrewing the closure from the cap.

[0006]The object of this invention is to satisfy these requirements by constructing a closure that, after disengagement with the spout, remains fastened to said spout and easily graspable by a user and is convenient to use.

[0007]This object is achieved by a closure according to claim 1. The dependent claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0008]The features and advantages of the closure according to this invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example according to the figures in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. la shows a closure assembly, comprising a spout assembly and a closure, in a closed configuration, according to one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. lb shows a closure assembly in an open configuration;

Fig. 1c shows a closure assembly in a broken configuration;

- Fig. 2a is a side view of a closure, according to one embodiment of this invention, from a first viewing direction;

- Fig. 2b is a side view of the closure, from a different viewing direction;

Fig. 2c is a plan view from the top of the closure;

- Fig. 3 is a view of the closure in cross-section, according to the section plan III-III of Fig. 2c;

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of Box IV of Fig. 3, highlighting a tamper-evident seal;

Fig. 5 is a plan view from the bottom of the closure;

Fig. 6 shows the closure according to an embodiment of this invention;

- Fig. 7 is an enlargement of the box VII of Fig. 5, showing the configuration of a limit section of a bulge of the grip surface;

Fig. 8 is an enlargement of the box VIII of Fig. 6, showing the configuration of a limit section of a bulge of the grip surface;

- Fig. 9a through 9d show a closure according to a further embodiment of this invention;

- Fig. 10a through lOd show a closure according to yet another embodiment of this invention; and

- Fig. Ila through lid show a closure according to another embodiment of this invention.

[0009]With reference to the figures in the attached tables, 1 has been used to indicate a closure assembly for a thin-walled flexible packaging; the closure assembly 1 comprises a spout assembly 2 and a closure 4 screwable onto the spout assembly 2.

[0010]The spout assembly 2 comprises a joining portion 6, generally referred to as a "weld boat," suitable for being sealingly applied to a flexible pouch of the package, delimited on the top by a main plate 8.

[0011]The spout assembly 2 further comprises a spout 10 protruding from the main plate 8 at one end and terminating in a through opening 12 of a spout conduit at the other end. The spout 10 comprises a cylindrical spout wall 14 having a central spout axis X and an outer thread 16 protruding from the spout wall 14.

[0012]The spout assembly 2 further comprises a secondary plate 18 protruding from the spout wall 14, axially spaced and parallel to the main plate 8, and a constraint ring 20 protruding from the spout wall 14, parallel to the secondary plate 18 and placed opposite the main plate 8 with respect to the secondary plate 18. Therefore, between the secondary plate 18 and the constraint ring 20, a ring seat is formed, which will be discussed hereinafter. [0013]The closure 4 comprises a cap 30 comprising an annular cap wall 32, for example a circular cylindrical or frustoconical wall, extending about a central cap axis Y, between a cap lower end 34 and a cap upper end 36, internally threaded to screw onto the thread 16 of the spout 10.

[0014]For the cap wall 30 a main plane of symmetry P0 passing through the cap axis Y is defined, which will be discussed hereinafter.

[0015]The cap 30 further comprises a cap bottom 38 that closes the cap wall 32 at the cap upper end 36.

[0016]Preferably, moreover, the cap 30 comprises an annular cap flange 40 which is continuous or continuous in sections, projecting from the cap wall 32 at the cap lower end 34 and arranged radially externally to said cap wall 32.

[0017]Said cap flange 40 has a flat lower face 40a, in the form of a circular crown, lying in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the cap axis Y.

[0018]The closure 4 further comprises an annular grip surface 50 for gripping the closure.

[0019]The grip surface 50 comprises an annular grip wall 52, which is continuous, or continuous in sections, coaxial to the cap axis Y, which surrounds the cap wall 32 and is arranged radially spaced relative thereto. [0020]The grip surface wall 52 extends axially from a lower end 54 to an upper end 56, such that the cap 2 is contained within the grip surface 50.

[0021]At the upper end 56, there is a grip surface opening 58, peripherally delimited by an opening edge 60, generally circular, preferably lying on an imaginary plane Pl orthogonal to the cap axis Y. Said imaginary plane Pl is axially arranged so as to be above the cap bottom 38 or coplanar to the outer surface thereof.

[0022]At the lower end 54, the grip surface wall 52 has an undulated, for example, continuous, grip surface edge 62 made up of a succession of low sections 64 and high sections 66 that are joined to each other.

[0023]The low section 64 is tangent inferiorly to an imaginary plane P2 orthogonal to the cap Y axis, which determines its maximum extension inferiorly. Preferably, the low section 64 is flat, so it lies entirely on the imaginary plane P2.

[0024]Said imaginary plane P2 is arranged axially below the lower end of the cap 34 of the cap wall 32, i.e., axially spaced apart from said cap lower end 34, on opposite sides of the cap bottom 38 with respect to the cap lower end 34.

[0025]The high section 66 is tangent on the upper side to an imaginary plane P3 orthogonal to the cap axis Y, which determines the maximum extension on the upper side. Preferably, the high section 66 is flat, so it lies entirely on the imaginary plane P3.

[0026]Said imaginary plane P3 is arranged axially above the cap lower end 34 of the cap wall 32, i.e., axially spaced from said cap lower end 34, between said cap lower end 34 and the cap bottom 38.

[0027]Thus, the course of the grip surface edge 62 is such as to make bulges 72, 74 of the grip surface 50, made up of portions 72', 74' of the grip wall 52 extending between the high section 66 and the low section 64, thereby extending the grasping surface of said grip surface 50.

[0028]At the same time, the course of the grip surface edge 62 forms windows 76, 78 of the grip surface 50, which are delimited on the upper side by the high section 66 and preferably not delimited inferiorly.

[0029]Preferably, the closure 4 envisages two bulges 72, 74 and two symmetrical windows 76, 78.

[0030]Each window 76, 78 is circumferentially delimited by a limit section 82 of the grip surface edge 62, belonging to one bulge 72, and by a limit section 84 of the grip surface edge 62, belonging to the other bulge 74.

[0031]According to a first embodiment (Fig. 5 to 8), said limit sections 82, 84 are made up of rounded elements 82', 84', joined to the remaining portion of the respective bulges 72, 74 and preferably enlarged with respect to the thickness of the remaining portion of the respective bulges 72, 74.

[0032]According to a further embodiment (Fig. 9a to 9d), at said limit sections 82, 84, internally to the grip surface wall 52, axial ribs 82'', 84'’ are envisaged, preferably provided with a joining plane 86 with the edge of the limit section 82, 84.

[0033]According to a still further embodiment (Fig. 10a to lOd), the limit sections 82, 84 comprise a respective inwardly projecting recess wall 82''', 84''', provided with a flat support surface 88' lying in a radial plane or parallel to a radial plane, joined to the outer surface of the grip surface wall 52.

[0034]According to a further embodiment (Fig. Ila to lid), the limit sections 82, 84 comprise a respective inwardly protruding recess wall 82''', 84''' provided with an arched, e.g., circular, support surface 88'’ joined to the outer surface of the grip surface wall 52. For example, said recess wall 82''', 84''' has a U-shape, protruding inside the grip surface.

[0035]According to one aspect of the invention, given a first window 76, delimited in width by the limit sections 82, 84, a first window plane P4, tangent to the first limit section 82 and parallel to the main plane of symmetry P0, and a second window plane P5, tangent to the second limit section 84 and parallel to the main plane of symmetry P0, are defined.

[0036]The cap 30 is contained in the direction of the width between said window planes P4, P5.

[0037]Furthermore, the second window 78 is circumferentially broader, i.e., wider, than the first window 76, in the sense that it also extends outside the two window planes P4, P5 or, at most, has respective limit sections 82, 84 tangent to said window planes P4, P5.

[0038]The closure 4 further comprises a tamper-evident seal 90 suitable for indicating the first opening of the closure.

[0039]The tamper-evident seal 90 comprises a tamper- evident ring 92, coaxial to the cap 30, suitable for being applied to the spout assembly 2, and in particular to the spout 10, so as to be axially constrained thereto, and preferably freely rotatable. The tamper-evident ring 92 has an upper face 92a, lying in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the cap axis Y, facing the cap 30.

[0040]The tamper-evident seal 90 further comprises an annular tamper-evident band 94, placed between the cap 30 and the tamper-evident ring 92, and in particular between the lower face 40a of the cap flange 40 and the upper face 92a of the tamper-evident ring 92.

[0041]The tamper-evident seal 90 further comprises a plurality of breakable bridges 98, which, when intact, join the tamper-evident band 94 to the cap 30 and the tamper-evident band to the tamper-evident ring 92; in particular, preferably, the bridges 98 join the tamper- evident band 94 to the lower face 40a of the cap flange 40 and the tamper-evident band 94 to the upper face 92a of the tamper-evident ring 92.

[0042]The tamper-evident band 94, when the tamper-evident seal is intact, is wrapped about the cap axis Y, overlaps the tamper-evident ring 92, and extends circumferentially between a first end 94a and a second end 94b, preferably facing each other.

[0043]Further, at the first end 94a, the tamper-evident band 94 has a first attachment 100a, which permanently joins the first end 94a to the cap 30, and in particular to the cap flange 40, and, at the second end 94b, the tamper-evident band 94 has a second attachment 100b, which permanently joins the second end 94b to the cap 30. [0044]In other words, said connections 100a, 100b remain intact and ensure the connection of the tamper-evident band 94 to the tamper-evident ring 92 and to the cap 30 even when the bridges are broken. The tamper-evident band 94 thus forms a tie that keeps the grip surface fastened to the tamper-evident ring, and thus to the spout assembly.

[0045]In this regard, Fig. 1c illustrates a broken configuration, in which the grip surface is torn from the tamper-evident ring, breaking the tamper-evident band 94 that acts as a tie; in this circumstance, the breakage occurs, preferably, at the attachment to the tamper- evident ring, so that no residual sections are left near the spout.

[0046]Preferably, on an imaginary plane passing through the cap axis Y, the tamper-evident band 94 has a lowered cross section S, i.e., having a width W greater than the height H; for example, said cross section is rectangular, having a width greater than the height. Advantageously, this allows the overall height of the closure to be reduced.

[0047]Preferably, moreover, the cross section S is configured to protrude radially with respect to the cap flange 40 and/or the tamper-evident ring 92.

[0048]Preferably, the tamper-evident band 94 is located at a height such that it is intersected by the imaginary plane P2 tangent to the low section 64 that delimits the grip surface edge 62 inferiorly.

[0049]In addition, the tamper-evident seal 90, as well as the cap 30, is contained in the direction of the width between said window planes P4, P5.

[0050]The closure 4 further comprises angularly spaced fins 102, 104 that join the grip surface 50 to the cap 30, and in particular the grip surface wall 52 to the cap wall 32.

[0051]In particular, each fin 102, 104 is made up of a flat radial element, i.e., substantially lying on an imaginary plane passing through the cap axis Y.

[0052]For example, two first fins 102 are provided, lying substantially on the main plane of symmetry P0, and two second fins 104, lying on a secondary plane of symmetry P6, orthogonal to the main plane of symmetry P0 and passing through the cap axis Y.

[0053]Preferably, the second fins 104, which are located at the two bulges 72, 74, extend axially to the cap lower end 34 of the cap 30; preferably, however, the first fins 102, which are located at the two windows 76, 78, extend axially to the imaginary plane P3 tangent to the high section 66 of the window 76, 78.

[0054]According to a variant embodiment, the tamper- evident seal has a tamper-evident band that forms multiple coiled and overlapping loops.

[0055]According to a further variant embodiment, the lower section of the grip surface edge is formed by an arched line or in arched and straight sections, i.e., a broken or split line.

[0056]Innovatively, due to the shape of the abovedescribed windows, the closure according to this invention is provided with a tamper-evident seal with annular band forming the tie, and is obtainable by injection molding, preferably in one piece.

[0057]The windows, in fact, allow the entry inside the grip surface, orthogonally to the cap axis, of plugs of a molding group, necessary for molding the tamper evident seal.

[0058]Also, advantageously, the closure may be easily gripped, due to the bulges that provide a large gripping surface for the fingers.

[0059]In a further advantageous aspect, the grip surface may be easily gripped as the bulges are delimited by limit sections that are rounded or beveled or otherwise devoid of edges for the comfortable support of, for example, the fingertips.

[0060]It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy current needs, could make modifications to the closure described above, said modifications all being contained within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A closure (4) for a spout (10) of a flexible thinwalled packaging, comprising:

- a cap (30) comprising an annular cap wall (32) having a central cap axis (Y) which extends between a cap lower end (34) and a cap upper end (36), for which a main axis of symmetry (P0) is defined through the cap axis (Y);

- a tamper-evident seal (90) comprising a tamper-evident ring (92) suitable for being applied to the spout (10), an annular tamper-evident band (94) placed between the tamper-evident ring (92) and the cap lower end (34) of the cap (30) and a plurality of breakable bridges (98) which join the tamper-evident band (94) to the tamper- evident ring (92) and the cap (30), wherein the tamper- evident band (94) extends between a first end (94a) permanently joined to the cap (30) and a second end (94b) permanently joined to the tamper-evident ring (92) to form a tie between the cap (30) and the tamper-evident ring (92); a grip surface (50) for gripping the closure, comprising an annular grip surface wall (52) which is coaxial to the cap axis (Y), surrounding the cap wall (32) and radially arranged spaced apart therefrom, which axially extends from a lower end (54) to an upper end (56), wherein the grip surface wall (52) has, at the lower end (54), an undulated grip surface edge (62) made up of a succession of low sections (64) and high sections (66) that are joined to each other, such as to create bulges (72, 74) and windows (76, 78) of the grip surface (50), in circumferential sequence;

- wherein a first window (76) of said windows (76, 78) is circumferentially delimited by a limit section (82) of the grip surface edge (62) belonging to a first bulge (72) of said bulges (72, 74), and by a limit section (84) of the grip surface edge (62) belonging to another bulge (74) of said bulges (72, 74);

- wherein a first window plane (P4) tangent to the first limit section (82) and parallel to the main plane of symmetry (P0) and a second window plane (P5) tangent to the second limit section (84) and parallel to the main plane of symmetry (P0) are defined for said first window (76);

- wherein the cap (30) and the tamper-evident seal (90) are contained in width between said window planes (P4, P5);

- wherein the low section (64) of the grip surface edge (62) is tangent inferiorly to an imaginary plane (P2) orthogonal to the cap axis (Y), which axially delimits inferiorly at least one of said bulges (72, 74); and wherein said imaginary plane (P2) is arranged axially below the lower cap end (34) of the cap wall

2. Closure (4) according to claim 1, wherein a second window (78) is circumferentially as wide as the first window (76) or wider than the first window (76).

3. Closure (4) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising angularly spaced fins (102, 104) which join the grip surface (50) to the cap (30), and in particular the grip surface wall (52) to the cap wall (32).

4. Closure (4) according to claim 3, comprising at least a first fin (102) of said fins (102, 104) at one of said windows (76, 78), lying substantially on the main plane of symmetry (P0), which axially extends up to an imaginary plane (P3) orthogonal to the cap axis (Y) and tangent to a high section (66) of the grip surface edge (62), which axially delimits said window at the top.

5. Closure (4) according to claim 3 or 4, comprising at least a second fin (104) of said fins (102, 104) at one of said bulges (72, 74), which axially extends up to the cap lower end (34) of the cap (30).

6. Closure (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tamper-evident band (94) has, on an imaginary plane passing through the cap axis (Y), a cross section (S) having a greater width (W) than the height (H).

7. Closure (4) according to claim 6, wherein the cross section (S) is rectangular.

8. Closure (4) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cross section (S) is configured so as to protrude radially with respect to the cap (30) and/or the tamper- evident ring (92).

9. Closure (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tamper-evident band (94) is placed at such a height as to be intersected by the imaginary plane (P2).

10. Closure (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in a single piece made of plastic material, for example made by injection molding.

11. Closure (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said limit sections (82, 84) consist of rounded elements (82', 84') joined to a remaining portion of the respective bulges (72, 74) and preferably enlarged with respect to the thickness of the remaining portion of the respective bulges (72, 74).

12. Closure (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein axial ribs (82'', 84''), each preferably provided with a joining plane (86) with the corner of the respective limit section (82, 84), are provided at said limit sections (82, 84), within the grip surface wall (52).

13. Closure (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each limit section (82, 84) comprises a respective inward-protruding recess wall (82’’’, 84''') provided with a flat or curved supporting surface (88') joined to the outer surface of the grip surface wall (52).

14. Closure (4) for a spout (10) of a flexible thinwalled packaging, comprising:

- a cap (30) comprising an annular cap wall (32) having a central cap axis (Y) which extends between a cap lower end (34) and a cap upper end (36), for which a main axis of symmetry (P0) is defined;

- a tamper-evident seal (90) comprising a tamper-evident ring (92) suitable for being applied to the spout (10), an annular tamper-evident band (94) placed between the tamper-evident ring (92) and the cap lower end (34) of the cap (30) and a plurality of breakable bridges (98) which join the tamper-evident band (94) to the tamper- evident ring (92) and the cap (30), wherein the tamper- evident band (94) extends between a first end (94a) permanently joined to the cap (30) and a second end (94b) permanently joined to the tamper-evident ring (92) to form a tie between the cap (30) and the tamper-evident ring (92); a grip surface (50) for gripping the closure, comprising an annular grip surface wall (52) which is coaxial to the cap axis (Y), surrounding the cap wall (32) and radially arranged spaced apart therefrom, which axially extends from a lower end (54) to an upper end (56), wherein the grip surface wall (52) has, at the lower end (54), an undulated grip surface edge (62) such as to create bulges (72, 74) and windows (76, 78) of the grip surface (50), in circumferential sequence; - wherein a first window (76) of said windows (76, 78) is circumferentially delimited by a limit section (82) of the grip surface edge (62) belonging to a first bulge (72) of said bulges (72, 74), and by a limit section (84) of the grip surface edge (62) belonging to another bulge (74) of said bulges (72, 74);

- wherein said limit sections (82, 84) consist of rounded elements (82', 84') joined to a remaining portion of the respective bulges (72, 74) and preferably enlarged with respect to the thickness of the remaining portion of the respective bulges (72, 74).